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Some type of electrical problem?
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inumaven
New User
Jun 22, 2008, 12:25 PM
Post #1 of 4
(1426 views)
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Some type of electrical problem?
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I have a 93 Jeep Cherokee Sport.
It's a V6 4.0 liter.
It has 174,000+ miles.
The problem started a few weeks ago after I'd filled my tank up. It ran fine for a mile or two, but when it was time to pull out on the interstate from the on ramp (I was stopped because of construction work) my car just wouldn't go. I completely depressed the gas pedal, I heard a loud popping sound, then it took off.
After that, I had problems accelerating my vehicle. It just didn't want to go. Sometimes it would jerk and sputter. My usual station had just "upgraded" its fuel to ethanol; it now contains up to 10%. I'd heard that older vehicles didn't like ethanol, and it had a tendency to clog up the system. Thinking that might be the problem, I added a fuel treatment to my gas because it would clear out any gunk and improve mpg. As time went on, and I added more non-ethanol fuel to my Jeep, the problem seemed to subside. The noises stopped, as did the lurching, but she still didn't seem to want to go.
My "check engine" light then started coming on.
I looked up at my oil change sticker, and noticed that I was way past due. I took it in to get the oil changed. While they had it, they changed the oil filter, the air filter and checked the charge on battery. Everything was A-OK, according to them. I started my car, and there was no "check engine" light on.
A few days later, the light came on again. My car was still acting sluggish, and on occasion the speedometer and the rpm gauge would go crazy, and then they'd settle down. They went crazy twice more that day, then as I was making a turn onto an offshoot of my road, it completely died on me: lights, steering, ignition everything. I put the car in park, restarted it and went on. I passed my driveway, stopped, and attempted to back up. Everything powered down, and then it cut off again. I, again, put it in park, restarted the car and everything was fine.
Two days later, I went to the store, came back out, and my car refused to start. It made that loud clicking sound that told me I needed a jump. I got a jump box from the automotive center, gave myself a jump, and it started. I returned the box, then went to get gas. After refueling, it wouldn't start again. I heard the loud clicking sound, and realized I needed another jump. There weren't any willing motorists around, so I walked back to the store and got the jump box again. He told me when I brought it back, I should just pull around, and they'd give it a once over.
They said my battery was dead, and I needed a new one, so I got a new one, along with anti-corrosion protection. My car started right up, but my check engine light was still on. I drove along fine for the next five days. On the 6th day, my speedometer and rpm gauge went crazy again. Then my car started slowing down, the lights on my dash dimmed, and I thought one of my headlights had gone out, but after I got home and could stop and check them, they were both on, they were just very pale, virtually no illumination.
The next morning, it started fine, but as I was driving down the road, my speedometer and rpm gauge kept going on and off. One minute they worked, the next, they both said "0" even though I know I was going at least 55 mph. As I pulled on to the off ramp, my turn signal wouldn't light up or make the little "blinking" sound. Then, as I stopped, my car cut off again. I put it in park and tried to start it, but I just got the loud clicking sound.
I turned the car off, got out and popped the hood. A nice couple stopped and gave me a jump. After a few seconds, my car cut off again. They jumped me again, and as soon as the cables were removed, and I shifted into drive, it cut off. The guy took a closer look under my hood and noticed that I didn't have a tie-down for my battery, and one of the terminals on my battery cables was loose. Also, some type of (I don't know what it's called) top had popped out of (I think) my radiator. He put that back in place, adjusted my terminal, and gave me another jump, letting it run for a few minutes this time.
My speedometer and rpm gauge still wouldn't read anything, but at least it let me go this time. I managed to make it into town, but before I got home, it died again: lights, turn signal, steering. Luckily, I had a friend in the neighborhood, and she gave me a jump. We let it run for a few minutes, and though it was sluggish, and none of the dash meters wanted to work, I made it home.
That was this morning. I haven't tried to start it since.
What's wrong with my Jeep? 
(This post was edited by inumaven on Jun 22, 2008, 2:08 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 22, 2008, 2:20 PM
Post #2 of 4
(1420 views)
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Re: Some type of electrical problem?
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Alternator isn't charging for some reason - loose belt, alt or regualtor perhaps which could be incorporated in computer.
Fuel problem right after getting fuel could have plugged up your fuel filter. Didn't see that on your list so just up and replace it.
Speed sensor possible. Get a code reading for what's stored if complete as when battery is disconnected it might have reset memory but if still running this lousy it would show something.
Seems you are only lasting as long as the battery is charged which is the priority of the priorities or you won't make it to get a code reading or other things tested and done,
T
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inumaven
New User
Jun 22, 2008, 5:42 PM
Post #3 of 4
(1417 views)
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Re: Some type of electrical problem?
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Thanks!
I always knew I needed professional help 
Now if I can just get her to hold a charge long enough . . . My nearest station is about 12 miles down the road, and there's nothing but winding roads and trees in between.
Yay for cell phones, I guess.
Thanks again. 
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 22, 2008, 6:39 PM
Post #4 of 4
(1415 views)
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Re: Some type of electrical problem?
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Ya - there's a lot going on here. With a fully charged battery that's known to be good you should be able to drive 12 miles without help from the alternator with all unneeded electrical stuff off. You may be getting a partial charge but not enough to maintain battery as with no help at all it wouldn't last too long.
Pull fuse on day running lights if equipped to save on that. Charge battery with a home/shop charger if you have one or a donor car running with jumpers hooked up for a good while - waste of gas but it works - leave your car off.
All this stuff doesn't add up to just a gasoline problem. Seems everything here at pumps now states "up to 10%" ethanol and so far my own older cars have been fine but I'm hearing about troubles with it.
Side note: The station's tanks if just getting ethanol for the first time might suspend dirt/yucky junk in the fuel when it would have settled at bottom of the huge tanks otherwise. Fuel filters now more than ever are a routine replacement item for me to avoid troubles. Cheap insurance and problems should stop at a good filter and not mess up beyond it.
Good luck,
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Jun 22, 2008, 6:40 PM)
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